Clear-Com underpins NYC’s Public Theater
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One of the nation’s first non-profit theatres, The Public Theater has supported emerging playwrights and performers for over 60 years, including the premier of Hamilton in 2015, and has won numerous awards, including six Pulitzer Prizes.
The project they’re currently working on is a system designed to provide reliable comms throughout their headquarters’ five theatres and their cabaret venue, Joe’s Pub. “The building wasn't meant to be a theatre,” explains audio supervisor, Malachy Kronberg. “It’s actually three buildings with the walls blown out in some areas – the centre (building) being the old Astor Library. The Luesther Theater’s dressing rooms are in the basement, and the theatre is on the third floor, which creates some interesting comms issues.
“The end goal is to have full connectivity between the theatres – from the dressing rooms in the basement on the south side of the building up to the theatre on the third floor on the north side – and never lose connectivity.”
To achieve that, Kronberg worked closely with Clear-Com’s James Schaller (regional sales manager, Northeastern USA), ultimately designing multiple systems comprised of an EclipseHX , with an E-IPA high-density IP interface card, FreeSpeak II beltpacks, and V-Series Iris and V-Series Desktop Panels. He adds that the intercom system in each theatre will include the same elements, with some variances in terms of the number of FreeSpeak II beltpacks and V-Series panels deployed.
“We’ve used Clear-Com devices in our theatres for years, so it’s a natural fit.” Kronberg continues. “I also have to mention how amazingly supportive Clear-Com has been throughout the project. James and the company have been great sources of information and partners. Before this, we’d run analogue comms using Clear-Com Encore Analog Partyline Systems. With the switch to the V-Series Panels, we’re excited by what we can do and how much connection power we’ll have.”
